100 words: Lines in the Sky
Zid’s face was white with rage, stark contrast to Bebe’s red fury. The older woman’s eyes were bulging out, veins prominent on her neck and forehead, spitting out her words.
“There will be no blood test! I will contest any claims you and that filthy bastard make on my son’s heritance! You will put in at the nearest port and turn my son’s ship and all of his revenues and goods over to the authorities. If you try to contest this so help me God I will hound you to the ends of the ends of the galaxy. I will pull every string I have, you disgusting thief! You temptress! You slattern! You wormed your way into my son’s life by spreading your legs for him. That is all you ever meant to him, a cheap and easy lay. You were never part of his life, and by God nothing of yours will ever be part of our illustrious family! I should have you tried for murder, you whore. If I hear one more—“
Zid’s hand slapped the “off†button, a beautiful round of ivory. Her hand was shaking, both her hands were. It took her a few minutes to gather herself, and then she stood up straight and linked her hands behind her back. She turned to her first mate, who looked at her questioningly.
“Lady?â€
“Celly. Your loyalties… were they with Omie, or with his mother?â€
“They were with Omie, and with you. You are captain of this vessel. If ownership is turned over to that dragon, I’ll not remain here. I will follow your command, Captain. The rest of the crew feels the same.â€
Zid nodded, ticking over options in her head. She ran her hands through her thick brown hair and then walked over to one of the command stations and keyed in a sequence of commands. The slippery liquid crystal panels coating the ship shifted, changing from beautiful pinkish cream and amber to solid black. The registry numbers faded, vanished, were replaced by a grinning horned skull, a cutlass and a pistol crossed beneath it.
And just like that, the Good Ship Honore declared war on Bebe Weiss and moved outside of the law. Just like that, the crew of the Good Ship Honore turned pirate. This was the legacy Zid gave to Omie Weiss’ daughter, the only thing she had to give: her father’s ship and her mother’s anger.
There are worse legacies.
410 words